JP6507984B2 - Image forming apparatus, control method and control program for operation feeling perception - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to, for example, an image forming apparatus such as MFP (Multi Function Peripheral), which is a multifunction digital multifunction machine having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a facsimile function, and a scan function, and control of vibration for operation feeling perception. Method and control program

  2. Description of the Related Art In terminal devices such as smartphones and tablet terminals, there are more and more cases in which the touch panel unit is vibrated at the time of operation of a touch panel, an electrostatic key or the like to obtain an operation response by touch. By applying this to the above-mentioned MFP, which often operates using a touch panel, like the terminal device, the operation feeling is improved by generating a vibration for operation feeling perception at the time of operation input on the operation panel. be able to.

  Further, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for substantially uniform vibration perception at any position on the operation surface by arranging a plurality of vibration elements around the touch panel and changing control of each vibration element to vibrate. ing.

JP 2005-258666 A

  By the way, unlike the terminal device, an image forming apparatus such as an MFP has a vibration source such as an image forming unit and a document reading unit in the vicinity of the operation panel. The vibration that a person can easily feel with a finger is around low frequency 100 Hz, and a vibration for perception of operation at the time of operation input of the operation panel is also often applied at a frequency near that.

  On the other hand, the vibration generated by the reciprocation of the scanning unit performed at the time of scanning in the document reading unit is approximately 30 Hz although it varies depending on the scanning conditions. For this reason, when the vibration source such as the document reading unit is operating to generate vibrations, it is difficult to distinguish between the two vibrations even if the vibration for the operation feeling perception is generated at the time of the operation input of the operation panel. There is a problem that it is difficult for the user to obtain a sufficient tactile response.

  In addition, since the technology described in Patent Document 1 mentioned above is a technology for causing substantially uniform vibration to be perceived at any position on the operation surface in a state where no other vibration source exists around the operation panel, the operation panel In the state where vibration from other vibration sources that exist around is generated, it is difficult to distinguish between the two vibrations even if the vibration for perception of operation feeling is generated at the time of operation input of the operation panel, and the user is sufficient It has not been possible to provide a solution to the problem that it is difficult to obtain a tactile response.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the operation feeling perception given at the time of the operation input of the operation panel even if the vibration from another vibration source existing around the operation panel is generated. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of obtaining a sufficient feeling of operation by vibration for use, a control method and control program for vibration for feeling of operation feeling.

The above-mentioned subject is solved by the following means.
(1) An operation panel, a vibration means for generating a vibration for perception of operation at the time of operation input of the operation panel, at least one vibration source other than the vibration means for generating a vibration at operation, and together to generate a vibration to said vibrating means at a timing of detecting the operation input, the vibration generating source in response to whether or not the operation, and a vibration control unit to generate different vibration to said vibrating means, said vibrating At least one of the generation sources is a vibration generation source that generates vibration in a fixed direction by reciprocating motion in the same direction, and the vibration means is directed to a first direction and vibration in a fixed direction by the vibration source. It is possible to generate vibration in a second direction different in direction from the first direction, and the vibration control means causes the vibration means to generate the vibration when the vibration source is not in operation. Vibration is generated in the direction, in the case of operating the image forming apparatus characterized by generating a vibration of the second direction.
(2) The vibration means is capable of generating a vibration of a first frequency and a vibration of a second frequency that is further away from the vibration frequency of the vibration generation source than the first frequency,
The vibration control means causes the vibration means to generate vibration of a first frequency when the vibration generation source is not in operation, and generates vibration of the second frequency in operation when it is in operation . Image forming apparatus.
(3) The vibration means can generate a vibration of a first amplitude and a vibration of a second amplitude larger than the first amplitude, and the vibration control means does not operate the vibration source. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above items 1 and 2, wherein in the case, the vibration means generates a vibration of a first amplitude, and in the case of operation, a vibration of the second amplitude is generated .
(4) The vibration means is capable of generating a vibration of a first vibration time and a vibration of a second vibration time longer than the first vibration time, and the vibration control means comprises the vibration generation source 5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above 1 to 3, wherein when not in operation, the vibration means generates a vibration of a first vibration time, and when in operation, a vibration of the second vibration time is generated .
(5) Any one of the above items 1 to 4, wherein the vibration control means causes the vibration means to generate a vibration different from the case where the vibration generation source is not in operation only during a vibration generation period during operation of the vibration generation source . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
(6) The image forming apparatus according to item 5, wherein the vibration generation period is a period during which the vibration generation source is accelerating and / or decelerating .
(7) Image formation comprising an operation panel, vibration means for generating vibration for perception of operation feeling at the time of operation input of the operation panel, and at least one vibration source other than the vibration means for generating vibration at operation Vibration control step of causing the vibration means to generate vibration at the timing when the device detects the operation input of the operation panel, and generating different vibrations in the vibration means depending on whether the vibration source is in operation And at least one of the vibration generating sources is a vibration generating source generating vibrations in a fixed direction by reciprocating motion in the same direction, and the vibration means is fixed by a first direction and the vibration generating source. It is possible to generate vibration in a second direction whose direction is further different from the first direction with respect to the vibration in the direction, and in the vibration control step, the vibration source is in operation. If vibration is generated in said first direction in said vibration means, when in operation control method for a vibration manipulation feeling perception, characterized in that a vibration is generated in the second direction.
(8) Image formation comprising an operation panel, vibration means for generating vibration for perception of operation feeling at the time of operation input of the operation panel, and at least one vibration source other than the vibration means for generating vibration at operation Vibration is caused to cause the vibration means to generate vibration at the timing when the operation input of the operation panel is detected in the computer of the device, and to cause the vibration means to generate different vibrations depending on whether the vibration source is in operation The control program for performing the control step, wherein at least one of the vibration generating sources is a vibration generating source that generates a vibration in a fixed direction by reciprocating motion in the same direction, and the vibration means is a first vibration generating source. It is possible to generate vibration in a second direction whose direction is further different from the first direction with respect to the direction and the vibration in the fixed direction by the vibration source, In the control step, the computer executes processing for causing the vibration means to generate vibration in the first direction when the vibration source is not in operation, and generating vibration in the second direction when in operation. Control program for vibration for perception of operation.

According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (1), although the vibration for operating feeling perception is generated in the vibration means at the timing when the operation input of the operation panel is detected, the vibration is generated depending on whether the vibration source is operating or not. Since the means generates different vibrations for perception of operation feeling, the vibrations for perception of operation feeling can be changed between the operation and the stop of the vibration source. For this reason, since the vibration for operation feeling perception can be generated in a form that is more easily felt by the user during operation of the vibration generation source, vibrations from other vibration sources existing around the operation panel are generated. Even in this case, it is possible to generate a vibration for perception of operation that can be sufficiently distinguished from this vibration, and to obtain an image forming apparatus capable of obtaining a sufficient tactile response at the time of operation input of the operation panel.

In addition , when the vibration source that generates vibration in a certain direction by reciprocating motion in the same direction is not in operation, the vibration means generates vibration in a first direction as vibration for perception of operation feeling, and in the case of operation Since the vibration generating source generates vibrations in a second direction whose direction is further different from the vibration in the first direction with respect to the vibration in a predetermined direction by the vibration generating source, the user can feel the vibration in a certain direction by the vibration generating source It can be clearly distinguished from the vibration in the second direction of use. As a result, despite the fact that the vibration source is in operation, it is possible to obtain a sufficient tactile response at the time of operation input on the operation panel.

According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph ( 2 ), when the vibration source is not in operation, the vibration means generates the vibration of the first frequency as the vibration for perception of operation feeling, and in the operation, the vibration is generated. Since the user generates vibration of a second frequency that is further away from the first frequency with respect to the vibration frequency of the source, the user can clearly identify the vibration by the vibration source and the vibration of the second frequency for operation sense. It can be distinguished. As a result, despite the fact that the vibration source is in operation, it is possible to obtain a sufficient tactile response at the time of operation input on the operation panel.

According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph ( 3 ), when the vibration source is not in operation, the vibration means generates vibration of the first amplitude as the vibration for perception of operation feeling, and in the case of operation, the first Thus, the user can clearly distinguish between the vibration due to the vibration source and the vibration with the second amplitude for sense of manipulation feeling. As a result, despite the fact that the vibration source is in operation, it is possible to obtain a sufficient tactile response at the time of operation input on the operation panel.

According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph ( 4 ), when the vibration source is not in operation, the vibration means generates vibration for the first vibration time as the vibration for perception of operation feeling, and in the case of operation, Since the vibration of the second vibration time which is longer than the vibration time of 1 is generated, the user can clearly distinguish the vibration by the vibration source and the vibration of the second vibration time for the operation sense. As a result, despite the fact that the vibration source is in operation, it is possible to obtain a sufficient tactile response at the time of operation input on the operation panel.

According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph ( 5 ), only in the vibration generation period during the operation of the vibration generation source, the vibration for the operation feeling perception different from the case where the vibration generation source is not operating is generated in the vibration means. It will be efficient.

According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph ( 6 ), only for the period during which the vibration generation source is accelerating and / or decelerating that is the vibration generation period, the vibration for operation feeling perception different from the case where the vibration generation source is not operating Will be generated in the vibration means.

According to the invention described in the above paragraph ( 7 ), since the vibration for operating feeling perception can be generated in a form that is more easily felt by the user during the operation of the vibration generating source, the other exists around the operation panel Even when vibration from the vibration source is generated, it is possible to generate vibration for operation feeling perception that can be sufficiently distinguished from this vibration, and to obtain sufficient tactile response at the time of operation input of the operation panel .

According to the invention set forth in ( 8 ), the computer of the image forming apparatus can execute processing capable of generating a vibration for perception of operation in a form that is more easily felt by the user during operation of the vibration source. It can be done.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structure of a reader. It is a figure which shows the vibration generation state at the time of the document reading by a reader. It is the top view which showed an example of the control panel. It is a control block diagram showing composition of a conventional operation panel. It is a control block diagram showing composition of an operation panel concerning this embodiment. It is a timing chart for explaining an example of control operation in this embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing control processing of an operation feeling perception vibration by the image forming apparatus. It shows an example at the time of the scanning operation by the reading device. It is a timing chart for explaining an example of control operation in another embodiment of the present invention. It is a control block diagram which shows the structure of the operation panel which shows another embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows control processing of the vibration for operation feeling perception in embodiment of FIG.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, as the image forming apparatus 100, an MFP, which is the multi-function digital multifunction peripheral described above, is used. Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus is also referred to as an MFP.

  The MFP 100 includes a reading device 2 that optically reads an original to obtain image data, and a print engine 6 that prints an image on a sheet based on the image data. A feeder 4 for feeding a document to the reading device 2 is disposed on the upper surface of the main body of the MFP 100, and a plurality of sheet feeding units 9 for feeding sheets to the print engine 6 are disposed at a lower portion. Further, at the central portion of the MFP 100, there is provided a tray 8 to which a sheet on which an image is formed by the print engine 6 is discharged.

  An operation panel 1 is mounted on the front side (the side facing the user) of the upper surface of the main body of the MFP 100. Operation panel 1 is a device for operating MFP 100. As described later, the operation panel 1 includes a plurality of keys for accepting operations such as various instructions from the user, and inputs such as numbers, letters, and symbols, and a display device. This display device uses a touch panel as an input function, displays various information in response to a user operation and / or a menu screen for receiving various operations to the user, and acquires the position touched by the user. And acquires input information according to the acquired position.

  As shown in the perspective view of MFP 100 in FIG. 1, operation panel device 1 having a touch panel input device mounted thereon is attached with its operation surface inclined at an angle so that it can be easily operated while standing in front of MFP 100. Some MFPs 100 can change the angle of the operation panel in consideration of the operator of a wheelchair or the like, or can be movable back and forth or to the left and right.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of MFP 100. Referring to FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 2, MFP 100 includes operation panel 1, system controller 101, memory 102, network interface 103, printer engine 6, output image processing unit 105, storage device 106, and reading device 2. , And the input image processing unit 108 and the like.

  The memory 102, the network interface 103, the printer engine 104, the output image processing unit 105, the storage device 106, the reading device 2, the input image processing unit 108, and the operation panel 1 are connected to the system controller 101.

  The system controller 101 controls the entire MFP 100 with respect to various jobs such as a scan job, a copy job, a mail transmission job, and a print job. The system controller 101 includes a CPU 121 (Central Processing Unit), a ROM 122 (Read Only Memory), and the like. The CPU 121 executes the control program stored in the ROM 122. The ROM 122 stores various programs for operating the MFP 100 and various fixed data. The system controller 101 reads data from the memory 102 and writes data to the memory 102 by performing predetermined processing.

  The memory 102 is a random access memory (RAM), and is used to temporarily store data and image data necessary when the CPU 121 executes a control program.

  The network interface 103 communicates with an external device via the network according to an instruction from the system controller 101. The printer engine 6 performs print processing on a sheet or the like based on the print data processed by the output image processing unit 105. In particular, when MFP 100 operates as a printer, printer engine 6 prints print data transmitted from an external computer or the like. When MFP 100 operates as a copier, printer engine 6 prints an image read by reader 2. .

  When printing an image, the output image processing unit 105 performs conversion processing to convert the format of the image data into print data.

  Storage device 106 is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), and stores various data related to the operation of MFP 100. Further, storage device 106 stores image data of a screen to be displayed on operation panel 1 of MFP 100.

  The reading device 2 reads an image of a document.

  When the image of the document is read by the reading device 2, the input image processing unit 108 performs conversion processing for converting the format of the image data.

  Next, the configuration of the reading device 2 is shown in FIG. The reading device 2 is a device for reading a document image by a scanner movement method, which is one of movement optical systems, and includes a reading sensor 21, a condensing lens 22, a scanner 23, mirrors 26 and 27, a control unit 28 and the like.

  The scanner 23 has an exposure lamp 24 for irradiating the document 31 and a mirror 25. The mirrors 26 and 27 are held by the slider 30 as a pair. The scanner 23 and the slider 30 are movably held in the direction of the arrow a in FIG.

  At the time of reading the document image, the document 31 set on the platen glass 29 is irradiated by the exposure lamp 24, and the scanner 23 moves (scans) in the direction of arrow a by the drive of the scanner motor (not shown). Exposure scan is performed.

  Reflected light of light irradiated to the document 31 is incident on the condensing lens 22 through the mirrors 25, 26 and 27, condensed by the condensing action of the condensing lens 2, and read by the reading device 21. .

  When the light reflected from the document is received, the reading device 21 photoelectrically converts the light into image signals of R, G, and B color components, and sends the image signals to the control unit 28.

  The control unit 28 performs known correction processing such as shading correction on the received image signal, stores it as image data in the internal storage operation 106, and reads out the image data from the storage operation 106 when receiving the read instruction. Output.

  FIG. 4 shows a vibration generation state at the time of document reading by the reading device 2 (during operation of the scanner 23 and the slider 30).

  When starting and stopping scanning of the reading of the document, in other words, during acceleration and deceleration of the scanner 23 and the slider 30, a force is applied in the direction in which the scanner 23 and the slider 30 operate, resulting in vibration. The frequency of this vibration varies depending on the weight of the scanner 23 and the slider 30 and the scanning speed, but is about 30 Hz.

  FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of the operation panel 1 described above. A display unit 10 for displaying a setting state of the MFP 100 and the like is disposed at a central portion of the operation panel 1. Further, the touch panel 11 is disposed so as to be superimposed on the display unit 10 so that the user can operate by touching a UI (user interface) screen which is an operation screen displayed on the display unit 10.

  An operation key group 12 is disposed at the lower part of the operation panel 1, and the operation keys include a start key for starting an operation such as copying or scanning, a clear key for clearing an input numerical value, copying or There are a stop key for instructing to stop the scanning operation etc., a set mode and a reset key for discarding the job, and a ten key (not shown) for inputting numerical values, which are not shown.

  The touch panel 11 is provided with a vibration unit 13 that generates a vibration for perception of operation at the time of operation input. The vibrating portion 13 vibrates when the touch panel 11 is operated, and even in the case of a touch panel without a click feeling, the state of the operation input can be obtained by the touch of vibration.

  Such vibration generation for operation feeling perception at the time of operation input is widely adopted in smartphones and the like, and when pressing a button displayed on the screen with a touch panel, unlike a hard key such as a tact switch, click Since a feeling can not be obtained, when the touch panel is operated, the touch panel can be vibrated for a short time to obtain a tactile sensation close to a click feeling.

  FIG. 6 is a control block diagram showing the configuration of the conventional operation panel 1, and the control of the conventional vibration response will be described using this figure.

  The operation panel 1 includes a display control unit 14, an input detection unit 15, an input determination unit 16, and a vibration control unit 17 in addition to the display unit 10, the touch panel 11, and the vibration unit 13 described above.

  The display control unit 14 generates a screen of a user interface (GUI) to be displayed on the display unit 10. The display control unit 14 includes a memory (not shown), stores graphic data related to a plurality of displays, and performs various displays on the display unit 10 according to the state of the MFP 100.

  The input detection unit 15 detects that the touch panel 11 is touched and the touch position (input position), and the input determination unit 16 determines the button input based on the touched position information and display content.

  The vibration control unit 17 controls driving of the vibrating unit 13 and controls whether to vibrate the vibrating unit 13 or not. Since the vibration of the operation response is performed at the timing when the button of the GUI is pressed, the vibration control unit 17 determines that the operation input of the operation panel 1 is performed according to the input determination result of the input determination unit 16 Control is made to vibrate the vibrating unit 13 at timing. The vibration unit 13 generates a vibration using a vibration actuator.

  The frequency of the vibration for perception of operation is said to be 30 to 200 Hz, which is a low frequency at which the frequency at which a person can easily feel the vibration is low, and the vibration portion 13 is often driven at a vibration frequency in these ranges. The greater the magnitude of the vibration, the easier it is to obtain as a tactile sense, but if the magnitude of the vibration is too large, it may make the operation uncomfortable.

  The vibration time is a vibration for a short time like a hard key click when it is a vibration for perception of operation feeling, but when it is used for a response different from a click such as a long tap response, the vibration time is It may change.

  By the way, unlike the smartphone or the like, MFP 100 is provided with a vibration source such as reading device 2 other than vibration unit 13 or print engine 6 in the vicinity of operation panel 1. Vibration is generated by the image forming operation, and the vibration is transmitted to the operation panel 1.

  Further, the vibration for perception of operation at the time of operation input of the operation panel 1 is performed at a relatively low frequency as described above. Since the vibration due to the operation of the vibration source and the vibration for perception of operation feeling are vibrations of similar low frequency, the vibration for perception of operation feeling even if the operation panel 1 is operated during the operation of the vibration source There is a case that can not be obtained as a tactile sense.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the vibration control of the vibration unit 13 is performed by involving the operations of the vibration generation sources such as the reading device 2 and the print engine 6.

  FIG. 7 is a control block diagram showing the configuration of the operation panel 1 according to the present embodiment. The configuration of the display unit 10, the touch panel 11, the vibration unit 13, the display control unit 14, the input detection unit 15, the input determination unit 16, the vibration control unit 17 etc. in the operation panel 1 is the conventional control of the operation panel 1 shown in FIG. It is the same as a block.

  In the present embodiment, the system controller 101 is provided with the operation detection unit 20 for detecting the operation state of the vibration generation source such as the reading device 2, and the vibration control unit 17 detects the vibration generation source detected by the operation detection unit 20. The vibration condition, that is, the vibration frequency of the vibration unit 13, the magnitude of the vibration (amplitude), the vibration time, and the like are changed in accordance with the operation state of. By this, even when the vibration source is in operation, it is possible to clearly perceive the vibration for operation feeling perception at the time of the operation input of the operation panel 1.

  FIG. 8 is a timing chart for explaining an example of the control operation in the present embodiment. In this example, the case where the vibration source is the reader 2 in the vicinity of the operation panel 1 is shown.

  FIG. 8A shows the operation of the reading device 2, and the scanning operation is performed from time T1 to T2. The same figure (B) shows the operation condition of the operating panel 1 by the user, and has shown that the pulse part touched the touch panel 11. As shown in FIG.

  (C) of the figure shows a generated state of the vibration for perception of operation feeling given to the operation panel 1 by the vibration unit 13 when the operation of the operation panel 1 is performed. When the reader 2 is not scanning, it generates vibrations in the normal mode as described as "standard". For the vibration in the normal mode, its frequency, amplitude, vibration time and the like are set in advance as default setting values.

  The operation detection unit 20 monitors whether the reading device 2 performs a scanning operation, and when the reading device 2 starts operation at time T1, the operation detection unit 20 detects this and the operation detection unit 20 operates. To the vibration control unit 17.

  The vibration control unit 17 receives this signal, and when the operation input of the operation panel 1 is performed during the scan operation, the vibration condition in the normal mode is set as the user vibrates for the operation feeling perception by the vibration unit 13. In order to make it easy to perceive, the vibration condition is changed to drive and control the vibration unit 13, and the vibration under the changed condition is generated. In this embodiment, as indicated by "large", the amplitude of vibration is increased.

  When the scanning operation by the reading device 2 ends at time T2, the operation detecting unit 20 detects this and sends a signal indicating the end of the scanning operation to the vibration control unit 17. When the vibration control unit 17 receives this signal, the vibration condition is returned to the normal mode to vibrate the vibrating unit 13.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing control processing of the operation feeling perception vibration including the operation described in FIG. 8 by the MFP 1. This process is executed by the CPU 121 in the system controller 101 of the MFP 1 operating according to the operation program stored in the ROM 122 or the like.

  In step S100, it is determined whether or not there is an operation input on the touch panel, and if there is not (NO in step S100), the process ends. If there is an operation input (YES in step S100), it is determined in step S101 whether a vibration source such as the reading device 2 or the print engine 6 is operating. If not operating (NO in step S101), in step S102, the first vibration condition (default vibration condition) in the normal mode is set, and then the process proceeds to step S104.

  If the vibration source is operating (YES in step S101), in step S103, a second vibration condition at the time of operation of the vibration source is set in advance, and then the process proceeds to step S104.

  In step S104, the vibration unit 13 is operated under the set vibration condition.

  Thus, by making the vibration condition of the vibration unit 13 at the time of operation of the vibration generation source different from the vibration condition in the normal mode in which the vibration generation source is not operated, the influence of the vibration by the vibration generation source can be reduced. It is possible to make the user more clearly perceive the vibration for operation feeling perception by the vibration unit 13 and to feel a good operation feeling.

  The second vibration condition set at the time of the vibration generation source operation may be any condition that allows the user to favorably perceive the vibration for the operation feeling perception by the vibration unit 13 in distinction from the vibration generation source. In the example of FIG. 8, although the example which set the amplitude of the vibration by the vibration part 13 large was shown, it is not limited to this. For example, the vibration frequency may be changed. In this case, a vibration frequency that is more distant from the frequency in the normal mode with respect to the vibration frequency of the vibration source is employed. By this, it is possible to perceive the vibration for operation feeling perception more distinguishably from the vibration of the vibration source.

  In addition, the length of the vibration time may be changed and set to a vibration time longer than that in the normal mode. Also in this case, it is possible to perceive the vibration for operation feeling perception more distinguishably from the vibration of the vibration source. Also, two or more of the amplitude, frequency and vibration time may be combined and changed.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, the direction of vibration of the vibrating portion 13 during the operation of the vibration source may be different from the direction of vibration in the normal mode.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of the scanning operation by the reading device 2. The scanning unit 200 including the scanner 23 and the slider 30 shown in FIG. 3 is configured to be movable in the direction of arrow a. The document is moved rightward to read an image of a document, and after reading is finished, the document is moved leftward in the drawing and stopped. Thus, in order to reciprocate in the fixed direction (the direction of the arrow a), the reader 2 generates vibrations in the same direction as the moving direction.

  On the other hand, when the direction of vibration by the vibration unit 13 is set to the same as the direction of vibration by the reading device 2 in the normal mode, the vibration by the vibration unit 13 is reduced by the vibration of the reading device 2 and the user operates I can not perceive the feeling.

  Therefore, at the time of the operation of the reading device 2, the vibration direction is set under the second vibration condition so that the vibration direction by the vibration unit 13 is different from the vibration direction at the time of the operation of the reading device 2. Preferably, the vibration direction by the vibration unit 13 is set to be orthogonal to the vibration direction at the time of operation of the reading device 2. In the normal mode, when the direction of vibration by the vibration unit 13 is not set to the same as the direction of vibration by the reading device 2, the direction of vibration by the reading device 2 is higher than the vibration direction in the normal mode. The second vibration condition may be set so as to have different vibration directions.

  For the change of the vibration direction, a vibration device capable of changing the vibration direction may be used, or in the case of a vibration device in which the vibration direction is fixed, the vibration unit 13 is operated by the vibration device of the normal mode and the operation of the reading device 2 A plurality of vibration devices of a vibration device to be vibrated at a time may be provided, and they may be disposed so as to have respectively set vibration directions.

  Also in this case, the vibration direction may be changed, and one or more of the amplitude, frequency and vibration time may be combined and changed.

  FIG. 11 is a timing chart for explaining an example of control operation in another embodiment of the present invention.

  As described with reference to FIG. 4, regarding the vibration of the reading device 2, when the scanning for reading the document is started and stopped, in other words, the scanner 23 and the slider 30 are accelerating and decelerating. A force is exerted in the direction of movement of the 30 resulting in vibrations.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the vibration condition of the vibration unit 13 is not constantly changed during the scanning operation of the reading device 2, but the reading start time and stop time, that is, only during acceleration and deceleration of the scanner 23 and the slider 30, The vibration condition has been changed.

  FIG. 11A shows the operation of the reading device 2, and the scanning operation is performed from time T1 to T2. The same figure (B) shows the operation condition of the operating panel 1 by the user, and has shown that the pulse part touched the touch panel 11. As shown in FIG.

  (C) of the figure shows a generated state of the vibration for perception of operation feeling given to the operation panel 1 by the vibration unit 13 when the operation of the operation panel 1 is performed. When the reader 2 is not scanning, it generates vibrations in the normal mode as described as "standard". The motion detection unit 20 (shown in FIG. 7) monitors the motion of the reading device 2 so that the acceleration state and the deceleration state of the scanner 23 and the slider 30 can be detected from changes in drive current of the scanner 23 and the slider 30. It has become. Then, when the acceleration state and the deceleration state of the scanner 23 and the slider 30 are detected, a predetermined signal is sent to the vibration control unit 17.

  The vibration control unit 17 having received this signal changes the vibration condition to change the vibration unit 13 only while the scanner 23 and the slider 30 are accelerating or decelerating while the signal is received from the vibration control unit 17. Drive control is performed to generate vibration under the changed condition, and the vibrating unit 13 is vibrated under the same vibration condition as that in the normal mode when acceleration and deceleration are not in progress even if the reading device 2 is scanning.

  With this configuration, the vibration condition can be efficiently changed only when the vibration occurs.

  FIG. 12 shows still another embodiment of the present invention, and is a control block diagram showing a configuration of the operation panel 1. In this embodiment, a vibration detection sensor 40 is provided in the vicinity of the operation panel 1 to detect a vibration applied to the operation panel. When the reading device 2 or the like that is a vibration generation source operates to generate vibration, the vibration detection sensor 40 detects this and outputs a detection signal to the vibration control unit 17. The vibration control unit 17 receiving this detection signal sets a vibration condition different from the vibration condition in the normal mode when there is an operation input to the operation panel 1 during the output of the detection signal, that is, during the generation of the vibration by the vibration source. Then, the vibration unit 13 is operated.

  In the control block diagram of FIG. 12, the configuration other than the vibration detection sensor 40 is the same as the configuration shown in FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the control processing of the operation feeling perception vibration described in FIG. 13 by the MFP 1. This process is executed by the CPU 121 in the system controller 101 of the MFP 1 operating according to the operation program stored in the ROM 122 or the like.

  In step S200, it is determined whether or not there is an operation input on the touch panel, and if there is not (NO in step S200), the process ends. If there is an operation input (YES in step S200), it is determined in step S201 whether the vibration detection sensor 40 has detected a vibration. If it is not detected (NO in step S201), the first vibration condition (default vibration condition) in the normal mode is set in step S202, and then the process proceeds to step S204.

  When vibration is detected (YES in step S201), in step S203, after setting a second vibration condition at the time of vibration detection set in advance, the process proceeds to step S204.

  In step S204, the vibration unit 13 is operated under the set vibration condition.

  As described above, by making the vibration condition of the vibration unit 13 at the time of vibration detection by the vibration detection sensor 40 different from the vibration condition in the normal mode in which the vibration is not detected, the influence of the vibration by the operation of the vibration source is It is possible to reduce the vibration for the operation feeling perception by the vibration unit 13 more clearly to the user, and to feel a good operation feeling.

  Also in the embodiment in which the vibration detection sensor 40 is provided, one or more of the amplitude, the frequency, and the vibration time may be changed as the second vibration condition.

  As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment. For example, the control in the case where vibration is generated mainly by the operation of the reading device 2 has been described. However, the MFP has a plurality of vibration sources such as an image forming unit (print engine 6) and a sheet conveyance unit in addition to the reading device 2. It is needless to say that vibration control of the vibration unit 13 by the vibration control unit 17 is also possible for vibration sources other than the reading device 2 as in the case of the reading device 2.

Reference Signs List 1 operation panel 2 reading device 6 print engine 13 vibration unit 17 vibration control unit 20 motion detection unit 40 vibration detection sensor 100 image forming apparatus 121 CPU
122 ROM

Claims (8)

Operation panel,
Vibration means for generating a vibration for perception of operation at the time of operation input of the operation panel;
At least one vibration source other than the vibration means which generates vibrations when in operation;
Vibration control means for causing the vibration means to generate vibration at the timing when the operation input of the operation panel is detected, and for generating different vibrations in the vibration means depending on whether or not the vibration source is in operation;
Equipped with
At least one of the vibration generating sources is a vibration generating source that generates vibration in a fixed direction by reciprocating motion in the same direction,
The vibration means is capable of generating vibrations in a first direction and in a second direction different in direction from the first direction with respect to vibrations in a fixed direction by the vibration source.
The vibration control means causes the vibration means to generate vibration in the first direction when the vibration source is not in operation, and generates vibration in the second direction when in operation. Image forming device. The vibration means is capable of generating a vibration of a first frequency and a vibration of a second frequency further apart from the first frequency with respect to the vibration frequency of the vibration source.
The vibration control means may control, when the vibration generating source is not in operation, generates a vibration of a first frequency to said vibrating means, in the case of operating according to claim 1 for generating vibration of the second frequency Image forming device. The oscillating means is capable of generating an oscillation of a first amplitude and an oscillation of a second amplitude greater than the first amplitude,
It said vibration control means, wherein when the vibration generating source is not in operation, vibration is generated in the first amplitude to the vibration means, in the case of operating according to claim 1 or 2 to generate a vibration of the second amplitude The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The vibration means is capable of generating a vibration of a first vibration time and a vibration of a second vibration time longer than the first vibration time.
The vibration control means causes the vibration means to generate a vibration of a first vibration time when the vibration source is not in operation, and generates a vibration of the second vibration time when in motion. The image forming apparatus according to any one of to 3 . 5. The vibration control means according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the vibration control means causes the vibration means to generate a vibration different from the case where the vibration generation source is not operating only during a vibration generation period during operation of the vibration generation source. Image forming device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the vibration generation period is a period during which the vibration generation source is accelerating and / or decelerating. An image forming apparatus comprising: an operation panel; vibration means for generating a vibration for perception of operation at the time of operation input of the operation panel; and at least one vibration source other than the vibration means for generating vibration at operation.
The vibration control step is performed to cause the vibration means to generate vibration at the timing when the operation input of the operation panel is detected, and to cause the vibration means to generate different vibrations depending on whether the vibration source is operating or not. ,
At least one of the vibration generating sources is a vibration generating source that generates vibration in a fixed direction by reciprocating motion in the same direction,
The vibration means is capable of generating vibrations in a first direction and in a second direction different in direction from the first direction with respect to vibrations in a fixed direction by the vibration source.
In the vibration control step, the vibration means generates vibration in the first direction when the vibration source is not in operation, and generates vibration in the second direction when in operation. Control method for controlling operation perception. Computer of image forming apparatus comprising: operation panel, vibration means for generating vibration for perception of operation at the time of operation input of the operation panel, and at least one vibration source other than the vibration means for generating vibration at the time of operation To
The vibration control step of causing the vibration means to generate different vibrations depending on whether or not the vibration source is in operation is performed while causing the vibration means to generate vibration at the timing when the operation input of the operation panel is detected. Is a control program for
At least one of the vibration generating sources is a vibration generating source that generates vibration in a fixed direction by reciprocating motion in the same direction,
The vibration means is capable of generating vibrations in a first direction and in a second direction different in direction from the first direction with respect to vibrations in a fixed direction by the vibration source.
In the vibration control step, the computer is configured to generate the vibration in the first direction when the vibration source is not in operation, and generate the vibration in the second direction when the vibration source is in operation. Control program for operation sense perception vibration to be implemented in

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